moments ago, you saw it live here on cnn, a very angry president obama blasted the senate for blocking an expansion of background checks for gun buyers in the united states. the vote in the senate, 54-46. but 60 votes were needed to pass this bill. >> a few minutes ago, 90% of democrats in the senate voted for that idea. but it's not going to happen. because 90% of republicans in the senate just voted against that idea. a majority of senators voted yes to protecting more of our citizens with smarter background checks. but by this continuing distortion of senate rules, a minority was able to block it from moving forward. all if all, this was a pretty shameful day for washington. but it effort is not over. i want to make it clear to the american people, we can still bring about meaningful changes that reduce gun violence, so long as the american people don't give up on it. the fact is, most of these senators could not offer any good reason why we wouldn't want to make it harder for criminals and those with severe mental illnesses to buy a gun. there were no coherent arguments as to why w